NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Two men with a collective total of 12 outstanding warrants are the newest additions to Nashville's list of "Top 10 Most Wanted" fugitives.
This list is updated every Wednesday on the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) Criminal Warrants Division’s Facebook page. According to detectives, those featured on the list are often considered to be some of the “most violent” offenders in the city.
Of the suspects on this week’s list, close to half are wanted for either homicide or charges related to alleged sex crimes. The rest of Nashville’s “Most Wanted” suspects are accused of crimes such as aggravated assault, aggravated robbery and child endangerment.
Following several arrests over the last few weeks, two new faces are on the list. One man has eight warrants out against him, while the other is wanted for multiple counts of child abuse and aggravated assault by strangulation.
According to Metro Nashville police, the list has aided the agency in several arrests, partly due to the number of tips submitted to investigators. On Monday, Aug. 12, authorities were able to track down the suspect in a deadly 2021 shooting based on intelligence gathered by detectives.
Tyrone Walker had reportedly been on the run for more than a year after being identified as the suspected gunman. He was taken into custody following a short pursuit in the Edgehill area.
In total, at least 129 "Most Wanted" fugitives have been arrested since the program was launched in October 2022. Below is a list of the suspects who made the police department’s “Top 10 Most Wanted” list the week of Aug. 28, 2024.
1. Adrian L. Cameron
At number one, Adrian Cameron, 19, is considered this week’s “Top Most Wanted” fugitive, according to the MNPD. It’s now been three months since Cameron first appeared at the top of the list. However, police began looking for him in mid-April.
Investigators said Cameron is one of three suspects in the death of 32-year-old rapper Chris King, who was shot and killed just before 2:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 20. King and his friends were reportedly hanging out in an alleyway between Hayes Street and Church Street that night.
Eventually, three other men began interacting with the group. King’s friends told police it started out “cordial,” but after some time, the three suspects allegedly tried to rob them. That’s when gunfire ran out, injuring King and his 29-year-old friend.
Both of them were brought to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, but King did not survive. Cameron, who was out on bond for the 2021 murder of 50-year-old Josh Evans at the time, was identified as a suspect in the shooting only days later.
Officials believe Cameron cut his ankle monitor shortly after the shooting. Cameron had just turned 17 years old when police said he turned himself in for Evans’ murder. Evans was found shot and wrapped in trash bags in the Cumberland River in Sept. 2021.
Cameron was arrested again for gun charges in Rutherford County less than four months after turning himself in for the 2021 murder. He’s now charged with criminal homicide in connection with King’s death, as well as failure to appear.
However, efforts to locate him have been unsuccessful. Anyone with information on Cameron’s whereabouts is asked to contact the MNPD at 615-862-8600 or Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463.
2. Lagarrion L. Blacksmith
Lagarrion Blacksmith, 35, has been at the top of Nashville’s “Most Wanted” list for close to nine months as police continue to try to track him down.
He was initially added to the list on Nov. 29, 2023, after investigators said they were able to connect him to a deadly shooting that took place outside a Dickerson Pike bar last year.
Officers found 35-year-old Chancellor Eddins lying on the ground just outside of Trvth Lounge on Feb. 18, 2023. He had been shot and later died at the scene. Another man who had also been hit by the gunfire was able to give officers an account of what happened.
According to police, the injured man told them he and Eddins had gotten into an argument with the suspect inside of the bar. Then, shots were fired as they left the location. At the time, the identity of the alleged shooter was unclear.
Months later, investigators announced Blacksmith had been identified as a suspect. On Nov. 22, 2023, officials said arrest warrants had been issued against Blacksmith for criminal homicide, attempted homicide, and felon in possession of a handgun.
However, efforts to locate him have reportedly been unsuccessful.
3. Ladonte J. Groves
Ladonte Groves, 24, was added back to the list on April 3 after first being featured among Nashville’s “Most Wanted” on Aug. 16, 2023. Police said Groves has since been indicted by a grand jury on multiple charges related to alleged sex crimes.
The charges against him include two counts of rape, two counts of sexual battery and one count of domestic assault. Authorities said Groves was last seen in the East Nashville area. However, efforts to locate him have been unsuccessful.
4. Adrian Abernathy
Adrian Abernathy, 31, is believed to have been behind the wheel of a stolen car in a deadly October 2022 crash on the Rosa L. Parks Boulevard exit ramp from I-65 North.
Abernathy has outstanding warrants for vehicular homicide, three counts of aggravated assault, felon in possession of a weapon, theft of a motor vehicle, theft of a firearm, reckless endangerment and making a false report.
According to police, Abernathy initially said he was a backseat passenger in the stolen Lincoln Navigator SUV. However, over the course of the investigation, detectives determined the seating positions were reversed, and Abernathy was the one driving the car.
Authorities said he was traveling over 100 mph shortly before the crash, which killed 29-year-old Todd Bryant of Antioch.
Abernathy has been featured on the “Most Wanted” list several times since early February 2023. He was added back to the list on May 1 after last being featured in November. Officials said he was last seen in Hermitage.
5. James A. Briggs
James Briggs, 27, is a new addition to Nashville's "Most Wanted" list. Authorities said Briggs is wanted on eight outstanding warrants. The charges against him include aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated burglary and six counts of reckless endangerment.
Court records show Briggs has been in and out of jail since 2017, when he was found guilty of domestic assault. He was arrested again in 2021 for a misdemeanor assault charge and spent a day behind bars in 2023 for violating a protection order.
Police said Briggs' last location is unknown.
6. Magic E. Johnson
Magic Johnson, 36, is wanted on outstanding warrants for two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault by strangulation and felon in possession of a weapon, according to officials.
Court records show Johnson has an extensive criminal history dating back to 2006. He has previously been convicted of charges such as disorderly conduct, misdemeanor evading arrest, aggravated robbery, assault and multiple order of protection violations.
Johnson was added to the list on July 31. However, efforts to locate him have been unsuccessful.
7. Quierra C. Spear
Quierra Spear, 27, is wanted on multiple outstanding warrants stemming from an incident in which she fired gunshots from within a vehicle, according to authorities.
The charges against her include two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, reckless endangerment and vandalism. Detectives said Spear, who was added to the “Most Wanted” list on Aug. 7, was last seen in the West Nashville area.
8. Joseph V. Brintle
Joseph Brintle, 46, is another new addition to the list this week. According to police, Brintle has been indicted by a grand jury on multiple felony charges.
The charges against him include two counts of child abuse involving a victim between the ages of 9 and 17 and two counts of aggravated assault by strangulation.
Court records show Brintle has a criminal history dating back to 1998, when he was convicted of a drug charge and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. He was arrested again in 2002 for aggravated assault and driving under the influence.
He also has previous convictions for disorderly conduct, public intoxication, resisting arrest, assault of an officer and domestic assault, based on Davidson County court records. Authorities said Brintle's last location is unknown.
9. John R. Etter
John Etter III, 47, was added back to Nashville’s list of “Most Wanted” fugitives on Aug. 7 after last being featured in February. The first time he ever appeared on the list was Jan. 24. According to officials, Etter still has not been located.
He is wanted on outstanding warrants for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated child endangerment involving a child between 9 and 17 years old, child endangerment and failure to appear. Etter’s last location remains unknown.
10. Joshua R. Starkey
Joshua Starkey, 19, is among some of the youngest suspects to ever appear on Nashville’s “Most Wanted” list. Police said Starkey is wanted for one count of aggravated robbery with a weapon or object. He was added to the list on July 10. His last known location was in Hermitage.
Anyone with information on any of the suspects listed is asked to contact the MNPD at 615-862-8600 or Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463.